David Beckham is set to return to Old Trafford after Manchester United were drawn with AC Milan on Friday for the knockout stages of the Champions League.
The England midfielder, who won the Champions League with United in 1999 before joining Real Madrid in 2003, will return to Milan in January for a second loan spell from Los Angeles Galaxy.
Beckham left United for Real Madrid in 2003 and has not yet come up against the club where he made his name.
United’s director of communications Phil Townsend was pleased with the draw. ”It will be fantastic,” he told Sky Sports News. ”I
think everyone at Old Trafford will be absolutely delighted, it’s what the Champions League is all about.
”He [Beckham] will get a fantastic reception, as players coming back usually do at Manchester United. He was a terrific servant for the club and we all hope he will be playing.”
Chelsea take on former manager Jose Mourinho after being drawn against his current club Inter Milan.
Mourinho was dubbed the ‘Special One’ when he lead Chelsea to Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006 before leaving early in the 2007/2008 season.
Arsenal take on Portuguese side Porto as all three English clubs play the first leg of their ties away from home after winning their groups.
Arsenal secretary David Miles believes manager Arsene Wenger will be satisfied with a two-legged tie against Porto.
”I think he will be relatively pleased,” he said. ”We have played Porto three times in four seasons so they are a team we know well.”
Spanish clubs avoided the big names with reigning champions Barcelona drawn against German side Stuttgart and Real Madrid up against French club Lyon.
German giants Bayern Munich meet Serie A club Fiorentina and CSKA Moscow were drawn with Spanish club Sevilla. — Sapa-AFP
Draw for the last 16, knockout round:
Inter Milan (ITA) v Chelsea (ENG)
Lyon (FRA) v Real Madrid (ESP)
AC Milan (ITA) v Manchester United (ENG)
Olympiakos (GRE) v Bordeaux (FRA)
FC Porto (POR) v Arsenal (ENG)
CSKA Moscow (RUS) v Sevilla (ESP)
Stuttgart (GER) v Barcelona (ESP)
Bayern Munich (GER) v Fiorentina (ITA)